Grooves on wedges?

[Golfmmad]

Following on from Medwayjons post about wedges, do they really wear out that much? Surely the friction from a golf ball won't cause metal to wear out that quickly, will it?

Even if they do wear somewhat, will it make much difference to us mere mortals?

Golfmmad.

 

[Parmo]

Couple of years with casual use? Less depending on how much you use them in practice and the quality of your practice balls. That said then why do people let them rust over a period of time and claim they get more spin

 

[USER1999]

The edges of the grooves become blunt. This isn't because of impact with the ball, but with the mud, and particularly the sand.

They will still channel debris away, but you don't get that really silly check on half shots any more.

I prefer them a bit worn, as although less spectacular, they are, for me, a lot more consistent.

 

[USER1999]

Rust won't give you more spin. That's a myth. Bob Vokey has done tests on it, and says it isn't true. I would believe him over some handicapped muppet who has no technical data to back up his 'feel'.

 

[The_LHC]

Rust won't give you more spin. That's a myth. Bob Vokey has done tests on it, and says it isn't true. I would believe him over some handicapped muppet who has no technical data to back up his 'feel'.

So why does he sell oil-can finish wedges that are designed to rust then?

 

[andiritchie]

So why does he sell oil-can finish wedges that are designed to rust then?

Personnel preference i suppose like anything

 

[USER1999]

Rust won't give you more spin. That's a myth. Bob Vokey has done tests on it, and says it isn't true. I would believe him over some handicapped muppet who has no technical data to back up his 'feel'.

So why does he sell oil-can finish wedges that are designed to rust then?

Because some people like them, and beleive they spin more?

Mainly because people like the dull non glare surface finish, and don't want a black wedge.

 

[Parmo]

who knows, I had my Srixon wedges about 2 years maybe, might change the Pings every 18 months or so.

 

[brendy]

Rust won't give you more spin. That's a myth. Bob Vokey has done tests on it, and says it isn't true. I would believe him over some handicapped muppet who has no technical data to back up his 'feel'.

So why does he sell oil-can finish wedges that are designed to rust then?

As mentions above, just another optional colour and doesn't blind youvehen you are playing in bright sunshine.

 

[The_LHC]

I know all that, I've got one, if anything it reduces the spin as the rust gets onto the edges of the grooves, which is similar to having dirt in the grooves (even more so if it's a spin-milled face as well), my point was that if he doesn't believe in it, he shouldn't sell it, on principle.

I won't buy another one with an oil-can finish, it's a waste of time.

 

[Oddsocks]

The problem is if the oilcan finish gives the player confidence or a false security who cares, if the results are there and their using a vokey they will buy more / recommend more and mister vokey will get more sales

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I tend to give my wedges a fair bit of treatment on the practice ground, practice bunker and range so I wouldn't be surprised if all that use and the hard range balls have worn some of the sharpness away. I am like murph though and prefer them as they are now where I still get enough spin for my level of play which I can control and on a good day I can still make it zip back like a pro (usually off the green followed by a duffed chip and three putts)

 

[Nikki]

http://www.gamolagolf.co.uk/acatalog/Golf_Regroover_Tool.html#a3RGGG

 

[Twire]

The thinking behind the "Trusty Rusty" wedges, is that the rust will penetrate the club face leaving it pitted and rough. This in theory gives more grip on the ball and therefor imparts more spin (a bit like having sandpaper on the face of your wedge). In practice this doesn't work as the rust is never allowed to get into the face. A couple of hit's, especially in the bunker and the rust has gone. If the club was left in a salt bath for 6 months, it might have a better chance, but it won't look to pretty.

The Vokey spin milled wedges have the face milled and you can see a distinct circular pattern on the face, this has the effect of having micro groves and will grip the ball much better than a smooth face, and this is why you get terrific spin off the SM Vokeys from a clean lie

 

[TonyN]

i have had my wedges about two years now and I like that they are 'blunt' I still get a decent amount of stop and the distances are pretty nailed.

I would hate to have it spin back and have to fly the pin.

Plus I like to bump and run with the wedges. I like the ball to roll out.

 

[The_LHC]

The Vokey spin milled wedges have the face milled and you can see a distinct circular pattern on the face, this has the effect of having micro groves and will grip the ball much better than a smooth face, and this is why you get terrific spin off the SM Vokeys from a clean lie

Unless it's got an oil-can finish like my 60-04 has, in which case the rust neatly fills in the spin-milled grooves and smoothes them out! Admittedly I tend to use it for lob shots where I'm sliding underneath the ball rather than hitting into it but it can come down vertically and still run out for yards and yards, even with a spin ball. I keep it in the bag primarily because it's got so little bounce, so those lobs off of tight lies are much easier with the face wide open than with my 56-12, for example.